The Koibatek Agricultural Training Centre (KATC) in Baringo County was a hive of activity on May 14, 2025, as it hosted the Farmers’ Field Day and the National Launch of the Mama Kitchen Garden Programme, led by First Lady Rachel Ruto and Principal Secretary in the State Department for Agriculture Dr. Paul Ronoh. Accompanying the was the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Dr. Deborah Barasa.
The high-profile event, themed “Promoting Technologies and Innovations for Household Income, Food Safety and Food Security,” brought together more than 40 exhibitors, government officials, research institutions, local farmers, women’s groups, youth, and development partners.
The Mama Kitchen Garden Programme, spearheaded by First Lady Rachel Ruto under the Mama Doing Good initiative, aims to strengthen household food security, promote climate-smart agriculture, and empower women and youth with tools and knowledge for sustainable livelihoods.
‘We are on a mission to give mothers the power to increase household vegetable intake by empowering Kenyan women to establish a thriving kitchen garden for their families, said Mrs. Ruto.
She emphasized that the initiative is more than just about growing food, it is a movement grounded on dignity, pride, and collective responsibility. By involving both women and children in sustainable farming practices, the Mama Kitchen Garden program seeks to nurture not only crops, but also healthier, more resilient communities for the future
On the other hand, PS Ronoh said “This is a transformative initiative advancing food security, women’s empowerment, and climate resilience, aligned with the BETA Model, this initiative equips women with essential resources and skills to improve household nutrition and create income-generating opportunities.”
The field day featured practical demonstrations of home gardening models such as cone gardens, sack gardens, A-frame beds, tyre gardens, and moist beds as well as supporting innovations like vermicomposting, Black Soldier Fly farming, azolla, and duckweed cultivation.
The first lady with the accompanying government officials toured the exhibition grounds and actively engaged with women’s groups, youth, 4K Club members, and local farmers, applauding their contributions to food production and resilience-building.These groups also presented innovations aligned with climate-smart and youth-inclusive agribusiness.
Top institutions such as KALRO, KEFRI, and CGIAR among others showcased cutting-edge research and technological advancements. Seed companies like Kenya Seed and SeedCo and other fertilizer suppliers, provided farmers with access to high-quality inputs.
The event also celebrated the legacy of Koibatek Agricultural Training Centre, formerly the Baringo Farmers Training Centre, now being revitalized by Baringo County as a regional hub for agricultural training and mechanization.
The 2025 Farmers’ Field Day and national launch of the Mama Kitchen Garden Programme was hailed as a powerful convergence of innovation, policy, and grassroots action demonstrating how partnerships between government, communities, and stakeholders can drive a food-secure, climate-resilient, and economically empowered Kenya.